I believe the Suns own them. So we are talking about Robert Sarver here. He is a massive idiot (I'm surprised he's made enough correct decisions in life to get this far) and I have slim hope he could realize potential instead of seeing a slight opportunity for short term quick profit.

I think what's sad is that in that area of town, it is more lucrative to build a parking lot than it is to build a business. This is why we should really be pushing for the revival of a Jackson street entertainment district again. Something on a large scale has to redevelop and put vision and money into that area in order for it to become lucrative for businesses.

/\ immediately south on the other side of the alley are some nice businesses and buildings, including Dudley Ventures which nicely rehabbed an old brick structure.

Which is the exact business Dudley ventures is in. It makes sense for them to be located in a rehabbed place.

If restaurants and shops were in demand in that area, then it would make sense for property owners to go that direction. Unfortunately it only takes a five minute walk from coach and willies to Cooperstown to see that most buildings are vacant.

If someone invested money into this area, it would most definitely be Phoenix's entertainment destination. That's all I'm saying. I wish we had a way to encourage a JSED type project. But as it is, very few businesses seem interested in this area.

How is it more lucrative to have a parking lot instead of having a business or a rehabbed historic structure (or many rehabbed structures)? If you are talking about the short term... maybe. If you are talking about long term, I disagree.

That would be a terrific proposition. I'd perhaps add the caveat of making only applicable to buildings that are 25+ years old, that way it to me I imagine it would rustle less feathers of developers/those who are extreme property rights first sorts.

If it was up to bozo Bob Sarver he'd sell the buildings and a 2013 1st Round pick to Boston for cash.

I love Colangelo, but the biggest mistake he ever made was deciding Sarver was the guy to sell to. In a cruel twist of fate, rumblings around the NBA have been that Commissioner David Stern has been begging Colangelo to get back into ownership/management, of a team, any team, because Stern feels the current NBA front offices for the most part are very weak and not taking the league in a positive direction.

Colangelo would make an excellent commissioner, but he'll likely be too old by the time Stern retires/dies.

Arizona Opera Company

http://i49.tinypic.com/2hzynd.jpg

The Opera Company is looking nice, now the empty lot south of it needs to be built on. It's a tragedy that such a high traffic and high profile location is empty.

Lofts at McKinley

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http://i49.tinypic.com/343jbps.jpg

at least they look urban on the surface... kind of

I'm pretty happy with how they're looking. They're built right up to the street, I like the brownstone-ish look, its decent density. Some of the finishes (that yellow stucco stuff) look cheap, but for subsidized housing for Seniors, I can't complain.

Also, this was mentioned over at the MyPlanPHX site (which not enough of you guys are on! Get with it!) but with all the Seniors currently living downtown and the ones coming, there ought to be a Senior Center downtown. There really isn't even one along the LRT they could easily access.

It would be nice to see that lot just south of the new ASU Downtown SRC be developed into a Senior Center. That way that strip becomes sort of a multi generational facility and it puts the Seniors near Civic Space park for playing chess or whatever.

I really like the lofts at McKinley. Yes some of the stucco looks cheap but they have a great street presence on 5th Ave. Nice landscaping, built right up to the sidewalk, balconies/patios... Now if only something would go in the empty lot behind it on 4th Ave.

Apparently we have differing opinions of what "built right up to the street" means.

Huh? How much closer to the street do you want it to be? Did you want them to get rid of the planter strip?

The wide planter strip with grass, shade trees, and palms is part of the historic Central PHX look. It would've been a shame to get rid of those. They cool the hottest part of the City, the core, protect pedestrians from cars, create shade, etc--they're win win win.

The building itself is stepped back slightly because its behind stoops, but thats a good thing. Stoops and porches create a place for relaxing on a nice day and saying hello to your neighbor. They also create security and privacy for people in the building so that passers by can't peer right into their window.

Are you upset its not built up to 4th Ave? Thats a different lot, so I can't imagine thats your criticism. 5th Ave between Fillmore and Roosevelt is getting really nice.

VVV That seems a bit picky to me. This gives them slightly more privacy and they're adding nice agaves and desert landscaping, I've got no issue with that. Maybe even there's room for some trees between the stairs, so eventually you have a nice canopy over the sidewalk.

Bottom stair should be at the sidewalk. There is about 4' more than tere should be.

Not sure if anyone is familiar with the area, but they are starting to rehab the old apartments on the south side of McDowell at 11th Ave. Over the past week, they have been working on the building that had a fire a few years ago. The rumor on the site is that they are turning the buildings into condos. Not sure what the project is going to look like (if at all different from the existing buildings), but just about anything is better than the fenced-in and abandoned buildings that have been used as a toilet for the past 4 years or so.

Thanks for the update, I live in that area and noticed the work over the weekend. I hope they are rehabed into condos or torn down and replaced with condos. On a related note, the retail building at 15th and McDowell is being remodeled. I posted pics a while ago but none recently. It's looking a lot better. They really need better tenants in the building in order to clean up that corner.

If you hear anything else about the building at 11th and McDowell post it up here.

Burnt down Apts at 11th and McDowell
 

http://i49.tinypic.com/2n7r77.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/5fg65l.jpg

Crappy retail building at 15th and McDowell
 

This building looks like it could be nice, they just need drastically better tenants. Right now the main tenant is the "Dollar Plus Store" with a big sign that says "We Accept Food Stamps" and then the number one recommended cell phone carrier for drug dealers - Boost Mobile.

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http://i47.tinypic.com/2nuhpn8.jpg

I wonder if there's brick or what exactly under all that blue stucco mess. McDowell Rd has such potential, I hope these buildings get turned around.

Wow you judgemental dick boost mobile is awesome!

This is what it looked like before:

http://i50.tinypic.com/24yzdkj.png

http://i49.tinypic.com/2czu7np.png

I don't know if there is brick under the previous tan stucco mess :yuck: I also doubt it will stay the current blueish color. That is probably just what it looks like after being applied or is a primer.